Mass Distribution in the Central Few Parsecs of Our Galaxy

TL;DR

This paper estimates the mass distribution within the central 10 parsecs of the Milky Way using stellar photometry and velocity data, improving understanding of the galactic core's dynamics and star formation history.

Contribution

It provides refined mass and density profiles of the Galactic center based on new analysis of photometric and kinematic data, enhancing previous models.

Findings

More accurate mass profile of the Galactic center

Improved density estimates for the inner 10 pc

Constraints on star formation history in the region

Abstract

We estimate the enclosed mass profile in the central 10 pc of the Milky Way by analyzing the infrared photometry and the velocity observations of dynamically relaxed stellar population in the Galactic center. HST/NICMOS and Gemini Adaptive Optics images in the archive are used to obtain the number density profile, and proper motion and radial velocity data were compiled from the literature to find the velocity dispersion profile assuming a spherical symmetry and velocity isotropy. From these data, we calculate the enclosed mass and density profiles in the central 10 pc of the Galaxy using the Jeans equation. Our improved estimates can better describe the exact evolution of the molecular clouds and star clusters falling down to the Galactic center, and constrain the star formation history of the inner part of the Galaxy.